Is It Really Okay To Disagree With Another Point of View In Politics?

Question

Do your morals and principles matter anyway?

Should you express your opinion/facts, even though sometimes free speech really isn't "free?"

oohhboth: I recently found two of our contributors were suspended although neither of them (one liberal and one conservative) have said anything that could be construed as hateful or in anyway disrespectful of others.
I find it hard to believe their is so much contempt for anothers opinion.

Answer 1

After finding out about other posters I'm beginning to wonder. If it can happen to one of the ones it happened to recently then it can happen to anyone. I've received violations. I've responded to every one of them and never received a response back. Now, you have to wonder how many violations it takes and it's that a trolls dream come true.
Sad. I wonder again who truly is for suppressing free speech.

Answer 2

It depends on the forum.

Its okay to disagree with opposing opinion. That's what drives our intellect. Without challenge, how do we know really where we stand?

Morals and principles are for those who wish to conform to general social norms and make the world around them a better place.

Our basic right to free speech should be just that. There are however, limitations, depending on the forum.

What good is being disagreeable if no one likes what you have to say?

Answer 3

Our Founding Fathers gave us a Bill of Rights that guarantees us Freedom of Speech.
The speech they were referring to was primarily "political" speech, though it encompasses all speech, writings and publications.
If there is no discussions regarding disagreements, NO PROGRESS CAN BE MADE and there will be no innovative ideas forwarded . Society would stagnate.
Original thought usually disagrees with the long held standards of thought on a given issue.
Be polite. It may help soften the "price you have to pay".

Answer 4

I believe expressing your opinion is important. But the question is how much information is behind your opinion? Do you only have a couple of one sided sources (television, e-newsletters etc) you rely on to help you form your opinion? Or, do you actually do the work that it takes to develope an intelligent well formed opinion by READING a variety of sources from a variety of points of view? I think morals and principles do matter but they are individual attributes based on an individual's life, life history and background. Even our founding members of this country were very adement about that belief. I have alot of respect for intelligent opinions that are well rounded and challenging. What I don't respect are bobble heads who simply go along with the talking heads on television or radio and don't do their own research. I think expressing your opinion/facts is extremely important in our society and it isn't free if you believe in such nonsense as repressing your own thoughts or opinions. That comes at a very heavy price. Self editing is a good thing, but self censorship is not. It is better to have a voice and use it than pay the price of not speaking out. But more importantly, I think really knowing what you are talking about is more important, and that takes time and work because it's not about simply parroting the current mass jingoism that is popular during drive time radio or on some cable station at night. It's about being truly interested in finding out what the truth is and finding out what is going on in the world without getting so involved that you are easily swayed or manipulated from one side to the other based on shrill emotions.

Answer 5

Why shouldn't you be able to express your opinion? Of course, the problem with political opinions seems to be that those that have them seem to be convinced that they are right and everyone else is wrong. As for free speech not always being free, well ask Eric Idle about that one. He was fined $5000 for one particular word he said on the air.

Answer 6

Of course you should express your opinions. Don't a be a rug that people walk on, get out there and put in your two cents. So, yeah, free speech is an idealistic idea that doesn't truly exist. Get over it. Express your opinions anyway, because those are yours, and no matter what happens they can't be taken away!

Answer 7

Of course it is ok. It is expected.
It is also expected that you remain civil while expressing disagreement, and that is the issue that I think causes most people to get violation notices.

I do not understand your claim that free speech isn't free.
Any freedom that is expressed in the presence of others has limits - in order to protect the freedoms of those others. Have you never heard the old saying "Your freedom to swing your arm ends at the tip of my nose" ?

Edit -
I've noticed some 'disappeared' too. Kind of disturbing. Although I can't vouch for the lack of insults.

Answer 8

I'd say not only is it OK to disagree, it's healthy. Think about which kind of company you would like to invest your hard earned dollars in. Company A has a boss who surrounds himself with "yes men". Any decision he/she makes, all his top people say yes, that's the best idea. Company B has a boss with a broad spectrum of advisors, not all yes men, but not all nay sayers either. He gets the most complete advice to base his/her decisions on.

Politics is no different, the best ideas are usually the ones resulting from the most POVs considered

Answer 9

yes it is ok, and benefits all concerned.
Expressing different views is what perfects the system as a whole, and tweaks the imperfections to benefit all.
Of course, trolling or just throwing insults like the first answer, isn't really expressing views, its only spewing hatred for your fellow countrymen. The kind of thinking that makes freedom not free.

America is so great, because people with different views are able to share them, regardless of the fact that we have to put up with mindless drivel coming from the fringes.

With that being said, I believe it is your patriotic duty to share your views, since there is a chance your views may improve the system of which you speak.

Answer 10

Yes, please do. I welcome it but if your arguments seem weak or if I've heard them before then I'm going to attack. I try to avoid personal attacks. We need to focus on our overall objective and what our vision is for the world we live in. I believe that we all aren't that different. But I do believe that some fanatics are only about themselves and they are dangerous. 1. There are limited resources that must be shared. 2. We are all in this together. 3. No one is getting out alive. 4. Harmony or war? I choose harmony. 5. Fact vs. Emotion? I always chose fact. Emotion is temporary and can make a person crazy. If you are getting too emotional and have power then you need to be able to recognize it and step away.